Hiya everyone,

As a father to be, I'm a bit shocked and irritated at the pathetic excuse of a paternity leave policy our country has (there is none).

I approached our HR manager and was instructed that they will change the paternity leave policy at work if I can produce paternity leave policies from a few companies. That way they can establish a "norm" for our company and put it in place.

So I ask all members here if you can help me? I know some leave policies are regarded as sensitive information for some companies, but please send through your leave policy to my email address below if you can? I'm particularly interested in the paternity leave clause in the leave policies. If you are unable to email me you policy but can add information here, then please do so. A simple copy and paste of your leave policy should be good. I will need a company name, so if you could just add the details here, that's great too.

I need something in black and white which states what your company's outlook is towards paternity leave specifically. A letterhead is prob not critical...but would be nice.

I know this is a lot to ask...but if you can help me out here, I will be eternally grateful. I want to be there for my baby in every way possible, as I was minus a father growing up.

I will be starting a website soon regarding SA's paternity leave policy as I feel gov is taking to long to change it (well, we dont have one, so to be correct...gov still needs to add one!). I will keep you posted.

Thanks for your time, I look forward to hearing from you all.
crazyfig (at) gmail (dot) com



PLEASE NOTE:

This thread is not a debate about paternity leave and what you think about it. If you want to debate paternity leave, start your own thread on that topic and leave your opinions there! I will not be replying to any more posts about what you think of paternity leave.

If you can help with my cause, then please reply to this thread or send me a mail to help out. If not, then dont waste your time or mine by posting your opinions on it. I wont be responding to them!

To those that have helped so far, thank you

Thank you for this info! I know ABSA and Eskom have good leave policies too. Wouldnt have thought that! Trying to hold of those policies, I will keep you posted! ;)

Thanks so much for this, I didnt even know about that website. Thats great!! :d/

Dont really have advise, but, Wow, all the best on the upcoming arrival of the new person in your life.
I always get emotional when I read about dad's who take this role so seriously. I have a 2yr old, who's dad works away, so I've been raising by myself since he was born. Also, the same difficulties with leave- he had to go back to work, away from home, when my son was a few days old.
All the best to both you and new mommy, your child will bring tons of joy.

Granted I'm not working in SA at the moment but for a UN related organisation. I'm about to go on paternity leave and its going to be for 4 weeks. I don't understand why fathers are not afforded better leave options in many parts of the world. At my previous job (for an SA company), I would've gotten 3 days, plus another 3 termed family responsibility. Any other time would have to come out of my annual leave.

I would love 4 weeks to spend with my child when he arrives next year. Lucky fish, Im jealous!!

Yep. Not good enough in my opinion, so on this quest I am

It really is. Im getting there slowly...but ja, getting there non the less. You know what makes it worse, was told by our HR Dept to find paternity leave policies from SA companies only. I mean seriously. We are so behind in this country with almost everything due to thinking we are third world...lets carry on as things are. They dont think, lets try improve on things.

Internationally companies are moving towards better paternity policies...moving forward is a good thing.

I work for a Municipality and they provide 5 days "family responsibility leave" which must cover all cases of birth and death or sickness in the immediate family. Not exactly the example you are looking for! My third child was born in September 09 and I took 2 days at the time. Now the HR section are arguing that I can only take the remaining 3 days if the child is sick (doctor's note needed).

Up until November I had taken one day sick leave for myself this year. Since September, I have been "sick" twice, but of course, this is totally unrelated to being at home to support mom and the children

I agree with you my friend! My son is 4 months old, I took 5 days Pat leave followed by 2 weeks annual leave. I felt that I had a responsibility as a husband and father that I needed spend more time tending to my wife and sons needs. Times have changed, in my dads days fathers did not go further than the delivery room... experiencing the event was a mind blowing emotional experince for me, something that I will never forget! I cried like a girl!!! Chicks dig it! But I also feel that mothers should have at least a full year maternity leave as apposed to 3 or 4 months. your thoughts??